News

Labor blows last chance on rail

The Andrews Labor Government has blown its last chance to deliver for regional rail, failing to include the north east and Shepparton train lines in its long awaited ‘regional rail’ plan.

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan said regional Victorians could be left with no doubt about where Labor’s priorities lie.

“Daniel Andrews has made it painfully clear that the north east and Shepparton train lines do not matter to a Labor government,” Ms Ryan said.

“This week’s announcement that Labor will spend $340 million for 18 new trains on the Ballarat and Geelong lines is an affront to people living along any of the other long haul train lines across Victoria.

“Despite appalling punctuality and reliability, and having some of the oldest rolling stock in the state, the north east and Shepparton lines did not even rate a mention in Labor’s plan.

“It’s time someone told the premier that regional Victoria is much more than just Geelong and Ballarat.”

Ms Ryan said Daniel Andrew’s had promised new rolling stock for the north east line, but with less than two weeks until the election, time had run out.

“Daniel Andrews stood in Wangaratta in April 2016 and said he would buy new trains for the north east line if the Federal government provided money to fix the track,” Ms Ryan said.

“We have been successful in securing millions for track works from the Federal Coalition, but Daniel Andrews has completely failed regional commuters along the north east line, backing down on his promise to buy new trains.

“Just 10 days out from an election, Labor’s big announcement for regional rail doesn’t include most of Victorian’s regional rail network.”

In government The Nationals will buy new trains for all of Victoria’s long haul regional lines, including Shepparton and the north east line.